Foiled Again!

Weekends With Dorie

If you know me, you know I love to bake. Every so often I get itchy to mix up some flour and sugar and turn out something sweet and yummy, and I have felt especially itchy since moving to our new place (or since getting married? Baking is so wifely...hard to tell.) A while ago I discovered that there was such a thing on the internet as baking blogs like this one and this one, and that nearly all these delicious blogs were members of a blogring called Tuesdays with Dorie. That is, they all own Baking: From my home to yours by Dorie Greenspan, and every week a different member of the blogring chose a recipe from the book. Then on Tuesdays, every member posts about their experiences making that item. This week is madeleines, last week was peanut butter torte...

Of course, after drooling over a few of the desserts, I had to buy the book for myself. Since getting it, I've made the lemon poppyseed muffins, low and lush chocolate cheesecake, chocolate chip cookies in two varieties, and some oatmeal chocolate cookies. All delicious. If I wasn't working and I had the time to shop and bake all day on Tuesdays, I would join the blogring and bake my heart out. As is, I'll have to be content with the occasional lazy Sunday afternoon treat.

It's A Hard Life

Every kitty I've ever met loves clean laundry...

...paper bags...

...and napping.

In the Paper

The following was in the latest edition of The Bee, a local paper in Kathy and Dave's area. It's not a custom in Switzerland to put engagement announcements in the paper, but Kathy thought it was important, so she kindly put this together for us (click to enlarge):

Wedding Thoughts

I have to say that wedding planning for me has been much more stress, worries, frustration, hurt feelings, and conflict than I ever imagined it would be - and not really a lot of fun. And it's not over yet! I know that many people can't come because of financial or work reasons, and while I'm disappointed, I do understand and I know they would come if they could. What really stings is friends who decided to prioritize other plans, or didn't even bother to RSVP to our invitation at all. It's nearly impossible not to take it personally and call the friendship into question. Backie in particular is really hurt by one friend who has shown absolutely no interest in attending the wedding despite numerous phone messages and emails to him.

Some of the source of the stress and frustration is just time. I've often thought to myself in the last few months that I need to quit my job to do proper and thoughtful planning of the wedding. Things feel haphazard or rushed because I just don't have the time to go and shop for various items for hours and do price/quality comparisons, and then I feel depressed because I settled for something second best just to be done with it.

I'm looking forward to the actual day, because I know that everything will come together and be wonderful, but until then I need a lot of strength and patience to get it all done!

Wine and a Schmoozer

Spring has not just sprung here in Adliswil, it's well underway! We had Thursday and Friday off because of May Day and Ascension and are using the time to get lots done. The weather has been warm and sunny which certainly helps productivity!

Thursday was the Tag der Offenen Weinkeller, 'Day of the Open Wine Cellars" in Kantons Zurich, Thurgau, Aargau, and Schwyz. We met up with some friends and took a trip to the other side of the lake, where most of the vineyards in Kanton Zurich are, and visited 5 small producers. It was a gorgeous day so the vitners had set up all the wine tasting and food outside. We bought a couple bottles at one place but mostly just enjoyed the weather, the wine, and the day off.

On another spring-related topic (baby animals!) we are having lots of fun with our kitty, who unfortunately still doesn't have a name... He is a fearless little creature - nothing seems to scare him or make him nervous. Even the trip to the vet was no problem, he was totally relaxed. He yowled a bit when the gave him the shot but in the typical fashion of babies, two seconds later he had totally forgotten about it and was trying to play with my fingers again. He is also doing his best to win the favor of the (now clean-shaven!) man of the house...

He's Home!

We picked up kitty last night! I thought he would be scared and nervous but he was very relaxed the whole car ride home, even playing with my fingers through the cage and then napping the last part of the ride. Once we got him home he was very curious to explore every nook and cranny, and totally ignored us for at least an hour while he trotted around the apartment doing that. Only after he had investigated the new surroundings did he express any interest in us, but as the evening progressed he got more cuddly, and by the time we settled down to watch some tv he joined us and curled up against Backie's neck for a nap. He's been using his litter box perfectly and gobbles up the food with gumption. His first few hours really couldn't have gone better. Even Backie has to admit he is totally adorable.

Exploring... the trash can: